COLUMBUS
James F. Stahl, 88, of Columbus, passed away at 8:40 a.m., on Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at Traditions of Columbus.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 12:00 p.m., on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church in Columbus. Rev. Chris Wadelton will officiate. Burial at Sea with military rites will be held at a later date. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the service, also at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church. Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service are entrusted with the arrangements.
Born on January 29, 1936, in Indianapolis, Jim was the loving son of Carl and Rose (Norris) Stahl. They both preceded him in death.
Living on the near Southside of Indianapolis, Jim attended Sacred Heart Grade School and then Manuel High School. He joined the National Guard for a short time. In 1954 Jim joined the United States Navy. He was proud to be an Engineman and then his real love was his time as a deep-sea diver. He served on the USS Skylark ASR20, a submarine rescue ship out of New London, Connecticut. After his honorable service in the Navy he returned to Indianapolis and married Betty Stamper. He began working at Hatfield Ford. He also taught electronics at Lincoln Technical Institute. In 1964 he moved to Columbus working at Cummins as a Service School trainer both in Columbus and also traveling to Cummins Distributors and customers across the US. In the late 1960’s he bought Hoosier Sporting Goods which he and Betty operated for 25 years. After selling the store he built another business Stahl Marine, doing boat repair, boat storage, and general storage buildings. After retiring from this career, he enjoyed meeting with many close friends at the Eagles and the American Legion. Jim was a long time member of the Eagles Lodge, American Legion and the NRA. He loved outdoor activities, especially boating.
Left to cherish Jim’s memory is sister, Carolyn O’Donnell of Indianapolis; brother, William (Angie) Stahl of Hartsville; many nieces and nephews; many great nieces and nephews; business partner and friend, Kevin Bishop.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Rose Stahl; sisters, Rosemary Dufek, Dolores Battiato Smith, and Margaret Strack; brother, Carl Stahl.
Memorial donations can be made through the funeral home to the Wounded Warriors Project.
Friends and family are invited to light a candle or leave a message of condolence in Jim’s memory at www.sawyerfuneralservice.com.
